Quoting The Fanlistings Network, a fanlisting is "a place for all fans of a particular show, movie, actor/actress, singer, etc. to come together and build the biggest listing of people from all around the world who are fans of that subject."


"Otaku", the term referring to people with an obsessive interest for their hobby but most associated with anime and manga geeks, has many layers. Though it can be seen as an insulting nickname, many of Japan's otaku have found pride in the term and foreign anime geeks have adopted the name for themselves. The negative aspect some people still associate with the word comes from the time when all otaku were seen as awkward shut-ins (and it didn't exactly help that their existence was first noticed in a society as strict as Japan), but by 2004 things started changing rapidly as a certain otaku boy's love story was told to everyone first through Japanese Internet forum, then as a movie, TV series and at least four manga adaptations. Through the story of Densha Otoko, Japan was introduced to otaku who were charmingly good-natured and friendly albeit somewhat misunderstood and shy. As Densha Otoko adaptations gained popularity otaku found themselves facing a new level of acceptance and popularity and whereas media had earlier called the "dangerous" amount of these anime fans an "otaku problem", it now changed into "otaku boom".

So, what kind of people are otaku in reality then? Of course there are as many different otaku types as there are otaku, but the stereotypical otaku is a young shy male dressing in Akiba-kei fashion (in other words, not very fashionably). While some otaku subcultures may sound off-putting, interest in those should not be associated with all otaku. The one thing all otaku have in common is passion: they all have this admirable passion for their hobby and by choosing to dedicate time and energy to it they find a place where they truly belong. Also, as Japanese society has finally accepted their existence on at least some level they have become more proud of being an otaku and bond easily with other people who identify as otaku no matter how shy they would be with un-otaku people.

So, why did I want to make a fanlisting for otaku? The obvious answer might be that I see myself as one, but in my years as an otaku I have been introduced to a world with many fascinating and kind people: it's a wonderful society where everyone shares the same passion with thousands of strangers, and as they are aware of this they easily form this certain bond with everyone else identifying as an otaku. It's an amazing world where everyone knows each other to be similar and feels like family among them.
When wandering around the otaku society I've encountered so many kind and helpful people I wanted to show appreciation for them by making this fanlisting. It's really quite sad that they aren't always accepted by other people because of the prejudice against their "childish" hobby when their only crime is showing passion for something they love.

Please note that you do not need to be an otaku to join. You don't even need to know anyone who is, the only requirement is that you accept them or are interested in them and their culture in some way. So, whether you are one, are interested in them, find them adorable, admire their passion or have just noticed that they are rather nice people, please don't hesitate to join! :)